Aeroplane.



M. H. WEBSTER.

AEROPLANE.

APPLIUATION'PILBD AUG. 7, 1909.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

. a'citizen of the United States, residing MAURICE H. WEBSTER, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1912.

Application filed August 7, 1909. Serial No. 511,674.

To aE whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAURICE I-I. WEBSTER, at Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved means for controlling aeroplanes.

In carrying out my invention, I employ that type of aeroplane in which one or more main planes are used to support the machine, and with one of these main planes there is associated a controlling plane eX- tending to the rear from each of its ends. I also provide a directing plane in front of the mainA planes, which, in conjunction with the controlling planes, serves to direct the course of the aeroplane vertically. This is accomplished by moving both of the controlling planes to an inclined positionrelatively to the main planes, and moving the directing plane to an inclined position the reverse of that given to the controlling planes. The controlling planes are also adapted to be operated independently of the directing plane, and may be reversely inclined relatively to the main planes for the purpose of controlling the transverse inclination of' the aeroplane.

My invention consists particularly in an improved mechanism for controlling the several adjustable planes mentioned. In the past, the adjustments necessary to control the direction of motion and the balance of the aeroplane have been secured by means of a plurality-of hand levers requ1ring inf dependent operation, none of which levers have been adapted to be operated instinctively, without especial thought and study. By my invention, I provide a single controlling mechanism in the form of a handle conveniently disposed to be grasped by the operator, which handle is adapted to be moved in either of two directions, motion in one direction serving to control the longitudinal inclination of the aeroplane, while motion in the other direction of the controlling mechanism serves to control the transverse inclination of the aeroplane. The controlling handle is so constructed that these results may be accomplished by the natural or instinctive motions of the operator as the machine tips one way or the other.

The several drawings illustrating my invention are as follows:

Figure l is a top view of my aeroplane, with a portion of the upper main plane broken away to show the controlling handle used to operate' the several adjustable planes; Fig. 2 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3 isa detail view taken from the front of one end of the main planes, and shows the manner of bracing such planes; Fig. 4 is a detail rearview of a portion of the main planes looking obliquely downward upon the controlling handle; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the controlling handle, showing the construction by which it is adapted to be moved in two directions. y

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the aeroplane consists essentially of two main planes l and 2, curved from front to rear as indicated. Each plane is formed of a plurality' of bent ribs 3, to the upper side of which a sheet of suitable fabric 4 is secured. The planes 1 and 2 are supported a proper distance apart by means of posts 5 formed of light wood, preferably, and the parts referred to are prevented from being displaced relatively by means of Wire bracing 6, as indicated. A runner or skid 7 is provided under the central portions of the plane 2 to support the machine from contact with the ground when it is leaving the ground ror returning to the ground. The plane 1 has secured at its rear edge the controlling planes 8 and 9, which are hinged to the ends of the plane 1, as indicated in Fig. 1, at l0. The planes 8 and 9 have extending perpendicularly through them the bars 11 and Il, as indicated in Fig. 2, which bars are located near the forward edges of the adjustable planes. The bar 11a is braced by means of wires 12 in the position indicated, and has connected at its ends the ropes or cables 13 and 14, which extend through the guiding eyes or pulleys 15 and 16, respectively. The cable 14, after passing through the guide 16, is led downward and through a second guide 17, from which it extends upward and .is secured to the right hand bar 18 of the controlling handle. The cable 13, after passing around the guide l5, is led through a second guide 19, as shown in Fig. 4, and then downward to the right hand bar 18 of the controlling handle at or near the point to which the cable 1 4 is secured. 'Ihe post 11 of the plane 8 is similarly disposed and connected by means of cables to the left hand bar 20 of the controlling handle, as indicated in Fig. 1. The forward ends of the bars 18 and 20 are connected together and also to a forwardly extending bar 21, as indicated in Fig. 5, the bar 21 being supported in a block 22 in such a manner that it may rotate therein. The block 22 is supported from the framework 28 by means of pivots 211, which permit the block 22 and the bar 21 to be swung in a vertical plane,

regardless of whether the bar 21 and thel handles 18 and 20 connected therewith are rotated in the block 22 o-r not. From the construction described, it is apparent that when the handles 18 and 20 are rotated in the block 22 without change of vertical inclination of the bar 21, that one of the planes 8 and 9 will be inclined upward, and that the other will be inclined downward a corresponding amount. r1`his is the condition desired for changing the transverse inclination of the aeroplane. For instance, if the aeroplane inclines downward at its left hand side, it is necessary, in order to restore the transverse equilibrium of the aeroplane, to incline the plane 8 downward and the plane 9 upward. As the operator is controlling the machine, his natural tendency for this condition of transverse inclination of the aeroplane is to lean over 'to the right, and thus rotate the handles 18 and 20 so as to raise the handle-bar 20 and lower the handle-bar 18, which has the ett'ect of inclning the plane 8 downward and the plane 9 upward. In other words, the instinctive motion of the operator is to move the planes 8 and 9 in the manner required to maint-ain the transverse equilibrium of the aeroplane.

An obliquely disposed bar 25 is secured beneath the plane 2 to the skid or runner 7, and extends upward and forward from such runner. The bar 25 has pivoted to it, as indicated in Fig. 1, a U-shaped frame 26, the forward ends of which have pivoted thereto a directing plane 27, the axis of which extends in a horizontal direction transversely of the aeroplane. rlhe plane 27 has extending vertically through its center a bar 28, to the upper and lower ends of which cables 29 and 80 are secured, which cables pass over guides or pulleys 31 and 32, respectively, and are secured to the controlling handle at 83. From this construction, it follows that when the handle-bars 18 and 20 are moved simultaneously, either in an upward or a downward direction, the directing plane 27 is givena corresponding inclination, as a result of which the vertical inclination of the aeroplane is determined. The forwardly extending end of the bar 21 serves t-o indicate in which direction the plane 2T is inclined, and therefore in which direct-ion the aeroplane will be caused to move by the simultaneous moving of the handles 18 and 20 upward or downward. The vertical direction of the aeroplane is also controlled by the planes 8 and 9 in conjunction with the directing plane 27. lVhen the handles 18 and 20 are both moved upward and the plane 27 assumes a position to direct the aeroplane downward, both of the planes 8 and 9 are simultaneously moved downward and therefore serve to lift the rear portion of the aeroplane at the same time that the plane 27 serves to depress the forward portion. Similarly, when the handles 18 and 20 are simultaneously depressed, the planes 8 and 9 are both raised and serve to depress the rear portion of the aeroplane, while the plane 27 is, at the same time, given such a position as to raise the forward portion of the aeroplane.

vFrom the above, it is apparent .that the controllinghandle disclosed forms a common and convenient means by which the direction of the aeroplane vertically7 and the transverse equilibrium of the aeroplane may be controlled separately or together, as desired.

It is to be borne in mind that while the aeroplane shown is not provided with motive power, my invention is applicable to any type of machine of the class described, regardless 'of the nature of the motive power employed.

The bar 25 is hinged at 84, as indicated in Fig. 2, in order that the forward portion may be folded back against the main portion of the bar. The U-shaped frame 26 is also arranged to be folded lback upon the 105 main portion of the aeroplane, in order to make the machine more compact for housing purposes. When the U-shaped frame 26 is in place, the position of the parts is maintained by tying the frame down to the end 110 of the bar 25, as indicated at 35. In this position, the cross-piece 36, secured tothe frame 26, rests upon the.V bar 25 and prevents further motion in a downward direction of such frame 26.

While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiments herein described, I do not, however, limit myself to this construction, but desire to claim any equivalent modifications that may suggest themselves 120 to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In an aeroplane,

the combination of a main supporting plane extending transversely of the aeroplane, a controlling plane rearwardly of each end of the main plane, such controlling planes ada ted to controlthe transverse equilibrium o the aeroplane, a directing plane located in front of the main plane for controlling the long1tudinal 130 direction of the aeroplane` and a connnon means for ini-lining` the controlling planes lsimiiltaneousl),Y in the `same direction and for inclining hauch directing plane in a direction opposite to that ofthe controlling the transverse equilibrium ot' the aeroplane, f

a directing plane located in tronhot' t-he niain plane t'or controlling the longitudinal direction ot' the aeroplane, and a common means t'or inclining the controlling planes siuuiltaneously in the saine direction and :t'or inclining such directing plane in a direction opposite to thatot' the controlling planes or for inclining the controlling planes simultancouslyv in opposite directions as desired, and a bar for indicating the direction of inclination of the directing plane.

3. In an aeroplane, the combination of a niain supporting plane extending transversely of the aeroplane, a controlling plane rearwardly of each end ot' the main plane, such controlling planes'l adapted to control the transverse equilibrium ot' the aeroplane, a directing plane located in front of the main plane for controlling the longitudinal direction of the aeroplane, and a common meansl for inclining the controlling planes simultaneously in the saine direction and for inclining such directing plane in a direction opposite to thatof the controlling planes or :for inclining the controlli-ng planes simultaneously in opposite directions as desired, and a forwardly extending ineinber for indicating the direction of inclination of the directing plane.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my naine this Q3 day of July A. D. 1909.

Hoy'r G. POST, RoNALD F. lVEnsTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, i

Washington, D. C. 

